Bouwvakkers aan de rand van Amsterdam 1896 - 1897

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch of construction workers on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Breitner was a flâneur of sorts, capturing the day-to-day lives of ordinary people. In the late 19th century, the Netherlands was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Breitner, known for his realistic, sometimes gritty, depictions of urban life, repeatedly turned his attention to laborers. This sketch offers a glimpse into the lives of those involved in building the rapidly expanding city. The loose lines convey a sense of immediacy, as if the artist quickly captured the scene as it unfolded before him. Breitner's work often focused on the working class, a group frequently overlooked in traditional art. By depicting these laborers, Breitner draws attention to their contribution to society, while also acknowledging their often difficult and precarious existence. This sketch not only documents a specific moment in Amsterdam's history but also reflects the broader social and economic changes transforming the city and its inhabitants.